November 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 67

volu Nte e R sP otliG ht

Joe Abel
" Those who volunteer are leaders "

hen Seminole County (F lorida) Leisure Services
Director Joe Abel is asked what he originally hoped
to gain when he fi rst stepped up to assist NRPA with
hospitality, special task forces, and fundraising, he asks that the
question be rephrased. " It was never about what I had to gain, " Abel
says. " It was always just about trying to make things better. "
That attitude of jumping in, getting
involved, and not stopping to ask about
direct personal gain has marked Abel's
many contributions to NRPA. Highlights
of his volunteer career with the association include membership on the Board of
Trustees (2003-2006) and sitting on the
Finance Committee (2004-2009) and
Development/A nnual Fund Committee (2003-2009). Abel currently serves
as Chair of both the One Vision Task
Force (charged with creating consistency among NRPA's subgroups) and the
Southern Region Network.

Tell us how you became involved
in volunteering with NRPA and
about the current volunteer roles in
which you are serving.
My NRPA experience began when I was
serving as president of the Florida Recreation and Park Association and represented the state and region on the NRPA
Council of Affi liate Presidents and Southern Region. After attending two meetings, the annual Congress and mid-year
conference, I was hooked on getting
involved in doing whatever I could to
make NRPA a better association for our
members. I know that probably sounds
hokey, but I truly believe in giving back
to my professional association! It is true
in my experience that you get out of
things what you put into them, and I truly

believe that I have experienced the successes I have in my career primarily due
to my active involvement in both my state
and national associations.
During this same time, for six years,

I served on the Board of Trustees and
several committees of the Board. Presently I am serving as the Southern Region Network Chair and Chairing the
One Vision Task Force.
The One Vision Task Force is made
up of the Chairs of each of NRPA's 18
Networks. The concept behind the task
force was to assist in the transitioning of
branches, section, and regions into Networks. The goal for the year was to create consistency among the delivery of
all sub-groups of NRPA while working
toward the common goals of the association. It would make me very happy if
this task force were to become a standing committee of NRPA or if it at least
continued moving forward as a task
force so that the group of Network leaders might have a common thread by
which to serve the association both consistently and progressively.
What advice do you have for
prospective NRPA volunteers?
Get involved! Be engaged! Move to the
front of the room and be part of your organization! So often I hear folks complain
about the association or the leadership
but never step forward to be part of the
change or part of the solution. To those
folks I say, " Get involved-Be engaged! "

Volunteer Spotlight
This month we highlight Joe Abel, Director, Seminole County (Florida) Leisure Services-and we will continue to feature one outstanding NRPA volunteer each month. If you are interested in becoming a
volunteer or in expanding your volunteer experience, ﬁnd out more
at www.nrpa.org/volunteer. As Joe says, " Be a part of your organization! Get involved! Be engaged! "

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November 2011 - Parks & Recreation

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